instead he decided to return to venezuela, make this surprise announcement late saturday. essentially put his political house in order before returning here to deal with health issues. that announcement was stunning and caught a lot about surprise at a time when i was speaking live on tv in venezuela and here in cuba. as well, he talked about his illness in a way he hadn't before. he talked about the physical effect it's having on him, the incredible amount of discomfort he feels and he named his successor vice president, nicholas medoro who is not only his vice president but foreign minister and throughout his long career has been a bus driver and a union leader. it's ain it's not a complete surprise, but chavez has not signaled who will follow him, and now he has. he pointed to the person that he wants all his supporters to throw their weight behind and elect if hugo chavez is sidelined, is rendered incapable as president. he's essentially preparing venezuela and the region for without hugo chavez, and that is significant, suzanne. >> thank you very much. we appreciate i